Overview: There is a great deal packed into a small space on the island of
Cyprus in the eastern Mediterranean. Not only does it abound with
good beaches and holiday resorts, but its relatively tiny landmass
is riddled with the relics of ancient history, from the beehive
huts of primitive man to classical Greek and Roman ruins, and
everything imaginable in-between. A thousand years is but a blip in time in the long history of
Cyprus, but it was that long ago that the city of Nicosia (also
known as Lefkosia) became its capital. Today Nicosia is unique in
Europe because it is divided by the 'green line' that bisects the
whole island, dividing north from south. The line, which serves as
a United Nations peacekeeping buffer, was drawn in 1974, when the
Turks invaded and took over the north. Most of the tourism
development since then has taken place in the southern
Government-controlled sector, and the political divide, even in
Nicosia itself, has not dampened the island's appeal as a major
holiday destination. The charms of Cyprus are many and varied. For a start the
weather is sunny and dry for most of the year, and the encircling
sea is blue, clear and enticing. There are modern luxury hotels in
the coastal resort towns, historic restored city precincts to
explore, tavernas and nightlife aplenty. Cyprus has remote
picturesque mountain villages and monasteries, beautiful churches,
Crusader castles and fascinating museums. The local people are
extremely welcoming of tourists, happy to share with them their
innate love of life and camaraderie. In Cyprus it is possible to
mingle with crowds, or seek isolation off the beaten track as the
mood takes, even in peak holiday season. For this reason the island
is also a favoured destination for honeymooners, a reputation
enhanced by the fact that legend has it that Cyprus was where
Aphrodite, Greek goddess of love, rose from the sea.
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